BIO 402: Field Biology
BIOGEOGRAPHY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
BIOGEOGRAPHY = the study of physical (including geology & climate) and biological factors influencing species distribution
Temperate to subtropical climate
warm moist summers (rain from thunderstorms)
cool moist winters (rain/snow from fronts)
Numerous trends – mountains to coast
precipitation: wetter (80 inches) to dryer (42 inches)
summer temperatures: coolest (80o average) to warm/hot (92o) to cooler (88o)
winter temperatures: cooler (30o) to warmer (42o)
PHYSIGRAPHIC PROVINCES
Geographical regions separated due to physical characteristics of elevation, topography and/or geological features
Provinces in South Carolina:
Numerous plant species are restricted to one or two of the provinces due to topography, climate, or a combination of the two (see pine examples)
Characteristics:
generally flat, low elevation; eastern half of state
rivers wide, blackwater, slow-moving
typically well drained uplands in sandy soils
Coastal Dunes
areas right on the coast, modified daily by salt spray, wind & waves
many dunes, low plant species diversity
grasses most common (sea oats, cordgrass, sandspurs)
Maritime Forests
shrubs & small trees beyond (behind) dunes
still strongly influenced by salt spray, tress may be one-sided
live oak, palmetto, slash pine, groundsel
Salt Marshes
under tidal influence, very flat; changes from exposed to submerged
typically monocultures of cordgrass
grades into brackish & freshwater marshes
Cypress-Tupelo Swamp
wet to saturated forest with tupelo & bald cypress
mostly along flood plains of rivers
Hardwood Bottoms
many species of hardwoods, wet to mesic (moist) forests
on flood plains, but typically dry during summer months
Savannas
relatively open areas once dominated by longleaf pine
historically maintained naturally by fires at 5-10 year periods
contain many species of rare herbs, including orchids
Carolina Bays
natural sinks which are relatively shallow (NC, SC, GA, FL)
oriented nw-se with ridge toward se
wet in winter, usually dries in summer
very deep peat accumulation
typically has a dense shrub component
Limestone Sinks
areas with bedrock of limestone
mostly in Barnwell, Williamsburg, Horry & Berkeley Counties
many with depressions filled with water
deepest sinks with swamp-like characteristics
shallow ones not much different than surrounding area
Magnolia Forest
semitropical mesic forest in southern counties
magnolia, bay, laurel oak
Characteristics:
small belt of very sandy soil
through towns of Aiken, Columbia, Camden, Cheraw
well drained and very dry during summers
few species do well here (turkey oak, long-leaf pine, poison oak)
Turkey Oak Barrens
very dry upland sites, sandy soil
turkey oak, longleaf pine (all of small stature)
some shrubs, but commonly an open woodland
Xeric Pine & Mixed Hardwood Forest
more moist locations, but still sandy soil
wider diversity of tree species
loblolly pine, red cedar, post oak, southern red oak
more in terms of herbaceous vegetation
Pocosins, Bay Forests & Hillside Bogs
areas of moisture from seeps to depressions
a number of shrubs and trees dominant, can be very thick
Characteristics:
rolling hills
rivers moderate flowing (except where dammed)
floodplains less than 2 miles across, only a few swamps
upland areas common, ranging from mesic (moist) to xeric (dry)
Hardwood Floodplains
mostly well drained due to slope of stream or river
greatly modified in last 100 years by erosion
dominated by sweet gum, tulip-poplar, ash & some species of oak
Mixed Mesophytic Forest
slopes above streams and deep soiled uplands
wide variety of hardwood species (oaks, hickory, beech)
Chestnut Oak – Heath Forest
on very dry upland sites
chestnut oak, blackjack oak (smaller oaks species)
Loblolly Pine Forest
not a natural community
result of planting or natural succession after clearcuts
by far the most common piedmont community today
Characteristics:
much change in elevation over short distances
very little in SC, only along western border with NC
streams fast flowing, commonly flowing over rocks
upland areas exposed to extremes of weather
Mixed Mesophytic Cove Forest
stream sides and above slopes, very moist, but drained
quite protected from winds
dense growth of numerous tree species, can see hemlock as a dominant
typically include mountain laurel & rhododendron thickets
very few herbs due to dense shrubs
Mixed Mesophytic Slope Forest
well drained, not as moist or protected
dominated by hardwoods
less dense shrubs, more herbs present
Upland & Ridge top Oak & Pine Communities
dry upland areas exposed to extremes of weather
trees shorter, more drought tolerant
dryer sites can be mostly pine
Rock Communities
areas of exposed rock
composed of cliffs & slopes, rarely flat areas
most plants grow in soil pockets & cracks on slopes
SOUTH CAROLINA LAND USE MAP
Map shows various land use patterns in the state
Patterns include:
1. Cannot make out the physiographic provinces in the state
2. Do notice human modification of landscape (visible from space)
3. Can see majors natural areas of the state
4. Other areas of little development